Last week I did my warm up – walk/jog half mile, then 2 sets of 15 each:
Push-ups
Back lifts (supermans on the padded thingy)
Sit-ups
Shoulder stretches
Inverted rows

Then I did one warmup set with just the bar, one set with lighter weight, followed 3 sets of 5 each:
Squat – 95#
Bench – 85#
Deadlift – 115#
Assisted pull-ups 140# (lighter is better)
Penlay lifts 75#
Overhead press 50#

I’m getting stronger. But I’m not where I want to be.

Today I’m thankful for…

Healing

Progress, not perfection

Breath in my lungs

Free weights

The overhead press machine, without which my shoulder couldn’t do those lifts

45 pound bar

My local YMCA

Water bottle full of cool refreshment

The men in the weight room who encourage me even though I’m lifting a third of what they do

The ability to move and lift

Target active wear (bras and tops)

Sam’s Club yoga pants

These pictures are from last month. 70 pound bench press and 80 pound squat. My progress is slow; I’ll be at last week’s weights for a while. But I’m making progress!

The Accident happened on August 12, 2013. They were declared dead 8/13/13. The first ten months I found myself depressed in the days leading up to the 12th. Then, July of 2014, I decided to choose gratitude. I wrote my first list of Twelve Things I’m Grateful for on the 12th. I’ve written a monthly gratitude post ever since.